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EMT in Georgia: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

Public safety

Georgia employs 6,260 emts, with a statewide median of $45,550 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Georgia licensing picture, and where to train.

What Emts Earn in Georgia (May 2025)

Georgia median pay
$45,550 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile)
$33,910
Experienced (75th percentile)
$48,400
Top earners (90th percentile)
$52,600
Employed in Georgia
6,260
U.S. median (for comparison)
$39,380 (May 2024)
Starting $33,910 Median $45,550 Top 10% $52,600 $30k$35k$40k$45k$50k$55k The bar spans the 10th–90th percentile of current workers.

Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for emts in major Georgia markets:

Augusta
$45,060 (350 employed)
Savannah
$41,320 (210 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Georgia

Prices in Georgia run about 4% below the national average (cost-of-living index 96.3 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $45,550 median stretches to roughly $47,300 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Georgia (2024–2034)

Georgia is projected to grow emts employment +7.3%, faster than the +5.1% projected nationally. The state expects about 440 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Georgia License and Certification Requirements

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT-Basic) certification — regulated by the Georgia Department of Public Health — Office of EMS.

  1. Complete an NREMT-approved EMT-Basic course (~160 hours of classroom, lab, and clinical training) at a Georgia-approved EMS training program. Community colleges, fire academies, and EMS agencies all offer approved programs.
  2. Pass the NREMT cognitive exam (computerized, 70–120 questions) and the NREMT psychomotor (skills) exam. NREMT certification is the national standard accepted by all states.
  3. Apply to the Georgia OEMS for Georgia EMT certification. Most employers require state certification (not just NREMT). Career progression: Advanced EMT (AEMT, ~250 additional hours) → Paramedic (~1,200+ additional hours, associate degree at most programs).

Official requirements: Georgia Department of Public Health — Office of EMS →

Training in Georgia

Georgia's EMS system is county-operated with significant variation — Fulton County (Atlanta), Gwinnett, Cobb, and DeKalb are among the largest. Metro Atlanta's rapid growth creates consistent EMT demand as suburban counties expand their EMS capacity. Rural Georgia — particularly southwest Georgia, the coastal plain — has significant paid EMT demand and volunteer EMT shortages. Georgia Paramedic is the career advancement path.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Georgia include:

Where Emts Work in Georgia

Real Georgia EMS agencies that employ emts include:

Is This the Right Move for You?

Best for: People who want fast healthcare entry, thrive under pressure, and want a credential that opens doors to paramedic and firefighter careers.

Think twice if: Physically demanding patient lifting, shift work including nights and weekends, and starting wages under $40k sound impractical.

Why it's resilient: Emergency medical response is inherently physical, local, and human — impossible to automate and always urgently needed.

First Steps

Enroll in an EMT-Basic program — most run about 150 hours over one semester at a community college or fire academy.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do emts make in Georgia?

The median wage for emts in Georgia is $45,550 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $33,910, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $52,600. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

What license or certification do you need to become an EMT in Georgia?

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT-Basic) certification, overseen by the Georgia Department of Public Health — Office of EMS. Complete an NREMT-approved EMT-Basic course (~160 hours of classroom, lab, and clinical training) at a Georgia-approved EMS training program. Community colleges, fire academies, and EMS agencies all offer approved programs.

Is being an EMT a good career in Georgia?

Emergency medical response is inherently physical, local, and human — impossible to automate and always urgently needed.

Which Georgia metros pay emts the most?

Among Georgia metro areas, Augusta leads at $45,060, followed by Savannah ($41,320). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.

Where can I train to become an EMT in Georgia?

Real Georgia options include Albany State University, Albany Technical College, Andrew College. Most emts start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is EMT a growing career in Georgia?

Georgia projects emts employment to change +7.3% from 2024 to 2034, with about 440 openings a year — a growing field in the state.

Sources and Verification

Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Georgia statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-2042. Licensing summary compiled from the Georgia Department of Public Health — Office of EMS (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.

BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Georgia wages · Georgia licensing/certification source

Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities; Employer lists from CMS Provider of Services, the FAA Part 145 directory, EIA Form 860, and USGS/state EMS registries (2026).

Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.

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